Advocacy Group Targets DJ Khaled’s Alcohol-Related Social-Media Posts

After advocacy groups asserted that DJ Khaled promotes alcohol brands to minors on social media, the music producer has reportedly reduced the number of his posts that mention alcohol. The complaint also alleged that Khaled failed to disclose his endorsement relationship with the brands, which include Diageo’s Ciroc vodka and Sovereign Brands’ Belaire sparkling wine. The contested posts include a Snapchat video of Khaled pouring alcohol into a bowl of cereal and an Instagram post featuring alcohol bottles displayed behind Khaled. Reportedly, many of Khaled’s followers are minors and he is the national spokesperson for educational nonprofit Get Schooled.

Several news sources reported that Khaled’s posts may violate federal law—including Federal Trade Commission rules governing branded content—and industry self-regulation standards, as the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States prohibits alcohol ads appearing on platforms in which at least 28 percent of the audience is under 21. Diageo, which reportedly ended Snapchat advertising after the U.K. Advertising Standards Authority ruled that Captain Morgan posts featuring a cartoon pirate appealed to minors, told news outlets that it was “working to ensure any issues are appropriately addressed.”